Graham | Auckland City
“My upbringing wasn’t very great. I was currently in a stressful situation since the age of six, being adopted, and put into foster care.
I don’t really know much of my family. I always shifted home to home. I kind of relied on myself over the years, getting stronger and providing for myself, getting work, got my own placement and just making my way in life.
The thing I value most is my little sister. She means a lot to me. Family is quite a meaningful thing, even though I didn’t have one. I still look at it as one of my passions. I love kids, and so yeah, I’m a bit of a family person.
Real abusive, you didn’t get treated well (in foster care). You had to make your own meals, and if you didn’t make your own meals, well you starve. Yeah it’s quite a rough upbringing.
I ran away. I ran away from home. I lived as a homeless person on the streets, and tried to look for a job. Then I was only 16 years old, found me a job at the age of 17, and started living by myself by the age of 18.
Last time I felt stressed is relationships. They stress quite a lot, where they have the physical and mental wellbeing. Where you’re trying to provide and help someone out, a partner or something like that, and then they just don’t approve it, and they do the opposite thing. That’s quite stressful.
I have a passion for fitness. I love fitness, and helps me control my emotional side, and that’s where I put all my emotions.”
**FEELING STRESSED?**
Check out these resources from the Mental Health Foundation: Stress and how to Handle it and the Five ways to Wellbeing. Need to talk to someone? Free text or call 1737 anytime.
